OF all places of the world, the Sea is fullest of Ad­ventures, but not those of Love; 'tis the Scene Fortune most delights to play her Pranks in; but that Element is too boysterous to agree with the tenderness of the Sex: Yet Love derives his Original from the Sea, which gave birth to his Mother; and though Gallantry be a Rari­ty [Page 2] there, it cannot appear strange where Venus was born.

A young Knight of Malta, (which Character speaks him of Eminent Quality) full of gene­rous emulation for the bravery of his Brethren of the Order, re­solv'd in pursuance of the Duty of his Profession to follow their steps, in seeking Honour, by ma­king War against the Infidels: He came to Malta in a Frigat of 30 Guns, excellently fitted, and the best Sayler that had of a long time gone out of that Port.

The Knight having performed his Land-services was grown a little acquainted with the Sea; but it was the first time he com­manded a Vessel, and very glad he was, at his coming to Malta, to find Gourdan there, and made him an offer of being his Partner for Honour and Arms. Gour­dan, [Page 3] an Old Corsair, very loth to admit a sharer in Profit or Ho­nour, and very rarely making use of a Second in War, did notwith­standing accept the Proposal made him by a young Man, the most hopeful of any that Order ever had. The Agreement was made, and the 15th of May they left Malta, and went to cruise on the Coasts of Tunis, in hopes to meet with three Vessels which Gourdan was informed were bound with Pilgrims for Mecha. The Wind was favourable, and in three days they were in Sight of Tunis: On the Fourth Gour­dan's Vessel drawing nearer the Coast, discovered some Sail, and discharg'd a Gun to warn in his Partner.

The Sails he discovered were those of the three Vessels they went in search of, which made [Page 4] up to Gourdan, and attacqued him very vigorously, and were glad to see the Knight come up to second him, making full ac­count of him as a Second Prize. But 'tis no slight dealing with the Corsaires of Malta, whose Cu­stom it is to fight to the last, and dye before they yield: Those I am speaking of were strangers to fear, the one having long run an uninterrupted course of Victory in all his Engagements, and the other supplying his want of Ex­perience by incomparable Va­lour. I will not enlarge in par­ticulars: The Fight was sharp and bloody, the Turks having four times as many Men as the Christians, and three Ships at least as good as the Malteses.

Gourdan had kept aloof from the Enemy about a Musket shot, till the Knight came up, who [Page 5] no sooner joyn'd him, but Gour­dan would let him see at what rate he had purchas'd his Honour in the Levant. He fell in furi­ously among the Turks, and ply'd them so terribly with shot and Granadoes from both sides his Ship, that you would have thought him on Fire. The Knight, though he needed no President to teach him his Duty, yet glad to have a Man, Famous as Gour­dan, witness of his Actions, se­conded him so bravely, that the Turks, who till then made no doubt of the Victory, began to fear the success: They cool'd in their Attaques, and fell off to more distance, not daring to grap­ple with the Christians. The Knight had no sooner observed it, but, to make use of his advan­tage, which had visibly rais'd the Courage of his Souldiers, he [Page 6] commanded them presently to Board the Ship that lay next him, being the stoutest of the three; he was readily obeyed, and as rea­dily rushed a-Board the Enemy; a Company of Volunteers imme­diately followed him, with some stout Souldiers, who, animated with his Example, did every one the Actions of Heroes. 'Twas wonderful to see (though no­thing more true) all the Decks covered with the Bodies of those Barbarians, slain at the first As­sault by a handful of Men: The Knight of Malta appear'd more than Man, he seem'd to be in ten or twelve several places at once; so ready was he, and nimble, to help where need. But I forget my self, to engage thus in de­scribing the Fight, which is not my design, having a Thousand other things to say, not of great­er [Page 7] importance (this Engagement being possibly the most terrible and glorious happen'd on those Coasts) but more ordinary and gallant, which my intention at present is to entertain the Rea­der withal.

I shall add only, that after six or seven hours Fight, wherein you may believe there wanted not occasion for these excellent Captains to signalize themselves, the Vessels having all boarded one another, the Christians sunk one of the Enemies, and put up the Standard of Malta in the main tops of the other two. Gourdan, who at that day thought no Man his equal at Sea, began to apprehend, from the Actions he had newly seen, the Reputa­tion of the young Knight might one day exceed his, and rob him [Page 8] of the glory of Soveraign of those Seas: He had observed him more than once enter the Enemy's Ships, and bear down all before him that offered to resist, and hew­ing his way to Victory through Wounds, Blood and Death; and that the honour of the Victory was almost wholly due to him: In a word, You are not to expect so much Justice in the Old Cor­saire, as not to believe him jea­lous of the growing Reputation of his young Partner, and there­fore less glad of the Victory, than otherwise he would have been.

The Knight had been wound­ed (though not mortally, yet) so dangerously that he was oblig'd for some Days to keep his Bed; the news was no sooner brought Gourdan, but he went to see him, and exprest the best he could how much he was troubled at it; he [Page 9] ended the Complement with all the Commendations and Praises, a Man jealous as he was of the young Knight, was capable to give. But the young Hero, no less modest than brave, put him off handsomely, attributing to Gourdan the whole advantage of the Fight; only he did justice to some of his Ship, who had signa­lized themselves most, without saying a word of what he had done: They resolv'd to return to Malta to refit their Vessels, and to sell the Prizes: Resolutions at Sea depend much on the Pleasure of the Winds; and they found themselves becalm'd on the mor­row, which for three Weeks stopp'd their design, and render'd that a very tedious Voyage, which a Week before they had perform'd in three Days.

[Page 10] The Knight was soon well of his Wound, and finding himself able enough to walk about in the Calme, he had a mind to take a view of the Prizes with Gour­dan, who that day had given him a visit: He found them both considerable for the number of Turks and Moors of both Sexes, which in a Christian Country would be a current Commodity. When they return'd a-Board their own Ships, Gourdan's Lieute­nant, being a Friend of the Knights, and not well satisfyed with his Captain, took an occa­sion, as they were speaking of the prizes, to tell the Knight privately he had not seen the most considerable Prize, being a Turkish Lady of Eminent Quality, and one of the handsomest Wo­men that had ever been seen. The Knight was surpriz'd Gourdan [Page 11] had said nothing of her, but looked on it as a Trick of an old Corsair; yet he could not but be displeased with the proceed­ing as unjust and uncivil; but the Lieutenant told him, he was not to wonder at it from a Man who never knew what it was to be civil or just to the best of his Friends: He went on and told him how Gourdan had shifted the Lady into his Vessel by Night, and plac'd her under the Guard of a Moorish Eunuch who had serv'd her long, and that Gourdan was so much in Love with her, and so jealous, he would not permit a­ny one to see her; that the Eu­nuch had told him the Lady had so great an Aversion for Gourdan, not only for his ugliness, but for his ill usage of her, that she was resolv'd to dye rather than com­ply with his desires. The Knight [Page 12] was of too noble and generous a nature not to pity the poor Slave, especially being handsome, and no ordinary person; he presently laid designs in her Favour, and told the Lieutenant he would go see his Captain on the morrow, and reproach him with having conceal'd that Treasure, in hopes to prevail with him, at least to use the Lady better, and send her back into the Vessel she was taken in: The Lieutenant, better ac­quainted with Gourdan's humour, told him, it was more than he was to expect from one so deeply in Love, and so brutish as Gourdan. However the Knight went to see him on the morrow: Gourdan receiv'd, caress'd, and entertain'd him with a great deal of kindness, but not a word of the Slave: the Knight had of purpose given him occasion to [Page 13] discourse of her, but Gourdan made him no satisfactory An­swer: At length the Knight, ha­ving lost all patience, ask'd him, as in raillery, if he knew what was become of a handsome Tur­kish Woman, which he was told had been taken in the bigger Prize; and told him, he was much surpriz'd he had not seen her when they took a view of what was found in the Turkish Ships, and that he had said no­thing of her: The Amorous Cor­sair took this for an Affront, and told him roundly he knew not what Woman he meant, that they had seen Women enough in the Prizes; that true it was he had one in his Ship who was no handsomer than the rest; but, if that troubled him, there were enough left, and he might go pick out one from amongst them [Page 14] that should please him best. The Knight little satisfyed with the Answer, reply'd very seriously, that he held the Conditions of their Partnership so sacred, that till they came to a dividend, he thought neither had right, with­out the privity and consent of the other, to appropriate to himself any thing found in the Prizes: Gourdan was a Man of so shallow Discourse he had not a word to say for himself, but, without any reply, rose up and went to walk on the Deck, leaving the Knight in his Cabbin; who, mustering up the Forces of his good na­ture and gentleness, to stifle the resentment the cross usage of this savage Man had raised within him, resolv'd to win him to rea­son by Civility; he followed him, and embracing him with a kindness would have gain'd the [Page 15] heart of a Beast of the Field, I have no design, says he, to contest with you for the fair Slave you have possest your self of; 'tis a sort of Commodity I have no mind to deal in, but pray do not refuse me the sight of her: Gourdan was quite deaf of that Ear, 'twas a ticklish Request, and he did not intend to expose her to the view of a young Man so handsome as his Partner; he lov'd her too well to hazard her on such an Adven­ture; and walking on still with­out answering a word, he made it sufficiently appear to the Knight he must hunt for other Game, as for this Gourdan reserv'd it for himself; the Knight knew not whether he should be angry or laugh at the proceeding, yet looking on Gourdan with more pity than anger, Few men in my Circumstances, says he, would be [Page 16] satisfyed with this usage; but you must be comply'd with, make much of your Slave; the time may come you will be a weary of her, and then I may be allow'd the liberty of seeing her: Having said this, he left Gourdan, and retir'd to his Ship.

A few days after, he sent Gour­dan word he had taken his Coun­sel, and was going among the Prizes in search of a Woman to his mind, that might bear him Company; though in truth it was to find out one who could give him an account who she was the Old Corsair had got a­board; and very luckily he met with one who had serv'd her long and took her a-board his Vessel, where he treated her with more Civility and Kindness than a Woman of her condition knew how to receive; he made her sit [Page 17] with him at Table, and us'd her so obligingly as confounded the poor Slave: She was neither young nor handsome, and could impute the Favour to nothing but the pure generosity of the Knight, whose good meen was sufficient assurance of the sincerity of his actions: Her Mistress became in­sensibly the Subject of their dis­course, and the Maid wanted not wit to satisfy his curiosity: She told him her Mistress was a Lady the King of Tamaran had been passionately in Love with, and out of remorse of Conscience she was going a Pilgrim for Mecha: The Knight, who knew persons of that Quality did not without great reason perform acts of so extraordinary devotion, asked her merrily, whether she knew the cause her Mistress became so ex­tremely Pious; and seeing her [Page 18] dispos'd to conceal nothing from him, he pray'd her to tell him the whole story, not doubting but the account of the devotion of a wo­man of that Character must needs contain more then ordinary ad­ventures: Razy (the Slave he con­vers'd with) was by this time so taken with the Knight she would not have deny'd him a far greater matter, and without further in­treaty spoke to this purpose.

Tamaran is a Kingdom where Love at this day reigns more ab­solute, than ever he did at Cyprus or Granada: Gallantry is become so much in use there, 'tis almost as natural to be a Gallant, as to live, they are wholly given up to Love, and the young People, incou­rag'd by their Fathers Examples, get themselves Mistresses before they get rid of the Rod of their School-Master. In a word, from [Page 19] the age of fifteen to sixty, from the King to the Plowman, every one enjoys his natural Liberty: whether it proceed from the na­ture of the Clymat, or temper of the People, I cannot resolve you; I rather think Subjects are such as their Kings make them. And the King of Tamaran being one of the most gailant Princes the World ever had, 'tis no won­der there is nothing so much talk'd of in his Kingdom as Gal­lantry. But to come to my Story; that King, when he came to his Crown, fell in Love with Hattige my Mistress, who is certainly one of the most beautiful Women eye ever saw. She is the daugh­ter of a Janizary, and was married to a Person of Quality, who had a competent Estate, sufficient to make her happy, had not her am­bition preferr'd the Title of Mi­stress [Page 20] to a King, before private Fe­licities: To shorten the discourse, the good Man found himself oblig'd to endeavour to content himself with the Honour the King did him in giving him a Ti­tle, and an Imployment abroad, which he scarce took for a Fa­vour, and would have been bet­ter pleas'd His Majesty had be­stowed it on another.

My Mistress, proud and hand­some as she is, wanted not the ad­dress to put a value on her self, and sell His Majesty a Conquest of that importance, at a rate sui­table to her height of Spirit and Beauty: True it is, she hath not been admir'd for her wit, but that defect is supply'd by the oblige­ingness of her carriage, and wo­mens Little Arts, which she makes use of so much to the pur­pose of gaining the Monarchs [Page 21] heart, that never Prince was so deeply in Love as he: he hath that complaisance and care to please her, as never man had for any Woman. And she hath not lost the advantage of it, but is by degrees become absolute Mistress of his Soul, and hath reaped the benefit of her conquest in all par­ticulars, a woman that knows the World, and is studious of her in­terest, can propose to her self. The Government of the Kingdom was in a manner in her hands: every one made his court to her, and whoever expected Favours or Rewards, must apply himself to Hattige, by whom all was grant­ed, as the pipe that convey'd the Royal bounty to the Subject: Past ages have furnished us with Examples of this nature, and po­sterity may see the like, but not equal to this; for it may be said, [Page 22] without stretching too much, the King of Tamaran took his Crown from his head to put it on Hat­tige's: The first Day he saw her he fell desperately in love with her: the great rise of my Mistress and her power at Court, raised her many Enemies: yet her Pride and height of Spirit procured her more hatred than her favour did jealousie: But the most conside­rable and most dangerous Enemy she had, was Osman, chief Aga and Favourite to the King.

A Favourite & a Mistress are sel­dom seen to agree, either of them endeavouring to engross their Ma­sters affection, is consequently en­gag'd for the ruin of the Rival: yet persons of that character for the most part go cunningly to work; but those I speak of declar'd open War one against the other, being both great spirits, & willing to let [Page 23] the World see the advantage they had one over the other: the King very prudent, and of a very peace­able humour, sided with neither, but having a kindness for both, and knowing they hated one ano­ther, he gave neither of them credit in any thing said to the dis­advantage of the other: Osman, after many vain attacks, resolv'd at last to try what jealousie might work on his Master, and hoped his Passion, like that of other Lo­vers, might split on that Rock: He apply'd himself diligently to observe the Conduct of the Lady, and find out some considerable and well grounded cause of suspi­tion, being throughly convinc'd his Master was so taken with the Charms of the Lady, it would be no easie matter to disabuse him, and that she had cunning enough to clear and work her self again [Page 24] into Favour unless the crime were great and plainly proved.

My Mistress look'd not like an Enemy to Nature, and her illustri­ous Lover being (as usual) less a­morous in his visits than he had been at first, it was not improba­ble her constitution might force her to make use of a Gallant to her mind, to satisfie her inclina­tions: at least the Aga thought so, and you will find he was not deceiv'd.

The Title of Mistress, and Chief Mistress to the King (besides the power it gives persons of that Character) hath introduc'd much Liberty into the Serrail. Hattige who never stinted her self in any priviledge she had, was in a man­ner Soveraign there, not a person daring to contradict her in any thing: The Aga was no less con­siderable, and somewhat more [Page 25] formidable, and having Money at command (which is omnipo­tent at Court) he quickly by that means, had his Spies in every Corner, who promis'd him a faithful account of my Mistresses Actions.

As glorious as it is for an am­bitious Woman to see at her Feet every day a person who com­mands all others, yet Monarchs are deceived if they think their Mistresses are always true. No passion, but that of extraordinary love, can fix a Womans heart; Ambition alone is too weak a gage for their Fidelity; it fre­quently happens, Princes owe their Amorous Conquests more to their quality than merit; and accordingly they extend only to what is external and gross, when Love and Inclination, frustrated of their expectations from them, [Page 26] and not satisfied with pomp and with shew, goes in search of sa­tisfaction elsewhere. Hattige lov'd the King, as most Mistresses of that kind use to do; that is, as far as the power of a Monarch could make her Love a Man, who raised her above all other Wo­men; she reign'd in all outward splendor imaginable; but amidst all her Glories she was troubled she found not a Man she could Love for his own sake. A Wo­man subject to such reflections as these, is hardly kept within the bounds of her duty; my Mistress found it too hard a task not to transgress a little, and being in search of one worthy her conde­scention, she cast her Eyes upon Rajep, the Master Gardiners Ne­phew.

Rajep was a handsome Gentle­man, young and vigorous, and [Page 27] had pleas'd other Women, and was reputed to make his Fortune that way. She had twice or thrice seen him, as she look'd upon the sports as are usually shewn for the divertisement of the Ladies of the Serrallio, where Men Fight with Beasts for the pleasure of the Women. Rajep was excel­lent at the sport, and always came off with Applause and Ad­miration. Every blow he gave carried Death with it, and made all the Company shout for joy, which reached my Mistresses heart. 'Tis not unusual to find wo­men affected with a Mans merit, upon occasions of that nature; she was deeply sensible of the Ap­plause and Honour bestowed by the Company on Rajep. When she came from these Shews she could not forbear being melan­cholly and pensive, even in the [Page 28] King's presence; She could nei­ther eat, nor Sleep. This trou­bled extremely the amorous Prince, who was so inquisitive after the least concerns of the health and pleasures of his Mi­stress, that he was more in pain than she, to see her languish as she did: He could not imagine what she ailed, and was so much concern'd at it, he could not rest for thinking of it. The Lady was more and more Love-sick, and by degrees her passion grew so upon her it altered her quite. The good King redoubled his Ca­resses no less than his Care and Liberality; and if it had been possible, would have doubled his Love: He prayed her every mo­ment, if she lov'd him, to tell him the cause of her trouble, and protested he would not stick, for her satisfaction, to sacrifice his [Page 29] Life: So great, so true, and so tender a passion, might have turn'd that false heart of hers, had she been capable of any love for him. But Rajep was her man; the most charming in her Eye; and the most accomplished on Earth. The King's bounties she thought were but her due; or at least sufficiently requited in the superficial acknowledgments she made him; and that if she lov'd him not heartily, 'twas not her fault, but his, who knew not how to gain her Affection.

Such, Sir, is the fortune of Monarchs in love; when they are with their Mistresses they com­monly lay aside that Majesty which dazles the Eyes, and af­fects the Hearts of Mankind; they go undressed into their Chambers, and make themselves so familiar with their Mistresses, [Page 30] they afterwards use them as ordi­nary Men: The amourous Hat­tige, wholly possest with her pas­sion for Rajep, languished under it, not knowing what remedy to use. Zara, a Greek Slave, and her chief Confident, had a longing desire to know what the matter was; she heard her sigh every moment; and, like a Woman of Age and Experience as she was, she thought, if it was not for Love, there was no great danger: She was not over hasty to know the Secret; but conform'd her self so much to her Mistresses way of living, that she neither eat, nor slept; but wept, and sigh'd, and walk'd, just as her Mistress. At last, my Mistress having often observed it, ask'd her what she ailed to afflict her self so: Alas, if you knew, Madam, answers the good Matron, sighing, if you [Page 31] knew, says she again, with a sor­rowful Tone, what danger you run into by living as you do—But what should I tell you of it, who have so little confidence in me. You have no cause to complain of that, Answers Hattige, smiling; for you know no person alive knows more of my Secrets than You. Yes, Madam, relplyes Zara, till now, because possibly you never were en­gag'd in any thing might deserve the Name of a Secret; but now that the time is come to try my fidelity, to make use of my Advice and Ad­dresses, you are content to afflict your self, as if you had not Zara with you; Zara, who loves you, (if I may be allowed to say so) more than her Life, which she would ve­ry willingly sacrifice for you: for what is the matter, Madam, what would you have? wherein may I serve you? why do you not make [Page 32] use of me?—Thou speakest, says the Lady, as if thou readest what is in my heart. And who is it, but can guess, replyes Zara, what you ail? the only wonder to me is the King hath not taken no­tice of it, and I tremble when I hear you sigh before him: for, when all's done, what is it you want for compleat satisfaction? if it be not that he loves you too much, and you love not him; there is not that thing you can desire in the world but you have it already. I tell you truly, Madam, I am a­fraid your Melancholly will at length make him suspect something, and what he will think of it I know not. Thou sayest well, poor Zara, replyes Hattige, seemingly affect­ed with the kindness of the good Slave; and could I believe thee faithful enough to acquaint thee with all that is in my heart, I doubt [Page 33] not but thy Advice might be to my advantage. If you doubt my Fi­delity, says Zara, you need only say nothing to me, for so you will oblige me, in spight of my heart, to keep your Counsel: Yet I would have you know, that for forty years I have spent in the Serrail, I have been always look'd upon as an Example of Discretion: There hath not been here in all that time a gallant Woman but I have serv'd; and were we at leisure, could give you a very pleasant account of them. In a word, Madam, I know who I am, and I know what you want. Make use of me once more, and as soon as you please: Perhaps you may not find me always in humour to pleasure you, but it pities me at present to see you languish. My Mistress, who had before a good Opinion of Zara, and clearly saw how necessary she was for [Page 34] her, resolv'd immediately to discover all to her, though to save her modesty she turn'd the story thus.

Thou knowest, says she, I had a Brother who loved me, and I from a Child lov'd him with the tenderest Affection: My Father, to prevent misadventures he appre­hended from the violent Inclina­tions we had one for another, parted us, sending him to Candy, whence he never return'd. Never were more Tears shed then by me on that cruel occasion; and to this Day I have not wore out the sorrow for the loss of him: But it is not that I have to say to you, dear Zara, you know it already; what I am to ac­quaint thee with, is, I have seen a man so like my dear Brother, in Meen, in Features, in Stature, in Acti­ons; in a word, so every way like him, I verily thought him the [Page 35] same; and I had without doubt taken him for my Brother, had I not been told he was the Master-Gardiner's Nephew. Who, Rajep, says Zara! Yes, Rajep, the very same,answers Hattige; as high as Fortune raises us, see how cru­elly she uses us sometimes; for, you may believe, I could not see this man but my Heart bled afresh with grief for my Brother; but the worst of all this, which I am almost ashamed to tell thee, I have, by a strange Sympathy, the same incli­nation for him I had for my Bro­ther; and the sight of this Man hath not only forc'd Tears from my Eyes, but sighs from my heart: What wouldest thou have me say more? I find my sels so unhappy, that 'tis my ill fortune not to love any, but whom I cannot or ought not to love.

[Page 36] Hattige with that dropp'd some Tears, which the officious Zara endeavour'd to stop. No, no, adds Hattige, there is no Re­medy for me but Death. The Age of dying for Love is long since past, says Zara; trouble not your self with the thoughts of a Vertue which is a Stranger to our times. What wouldest thou have me do then, says Hattige? You shall know, answers Zara, when you have told me what 'tis you desire. And see­ing Hattige in a study what to say, to give Zara time to guess what she wisht for; Would you see Rajep, says Zara? would you have me bring him to your Apartment—? Ah my dear Zara, cryes the amo­rous Lady, embracing her ten­derly! how pleasantly thou flatter­est most passionate desires; could'st thou do that for me, thou wouldest Eternally oblige me; but I am hear­tily [Page 37] afraid for thee, and would ra­ther dye than any harm should hap­pen to thee on my account. Take no care for that (says Zara) this is not so great a matter for me to ef­fect. I have already taken my mea­sures how to bring it about; do but write a Billet to Rajep to adver­tise him of his good Fortune, and let me alone with the rest. My Mistress, to encourage her the more to serve her faithfully, pre­sented her with a Gold Chain, and assur'd her it was but the Ear­nest of what she would do for her. Pen, Ink, and Paper being brought, Hattige writ this Billet to Rajep.

Zara took the Billet, and went to give it an Eunuch she confided in most; she had several she em­ployed on such Errands, whose Faithfulness she bought with good ready Money: she carefully instructed him she sent on this Message, and conjur'd him to Secresie. But what trust is there to be reposed in those who are al­wayes for him that gives most? Zara's pay was not comparable to the Aga's; and that Eunuch be­ing one of his Spyes, you may [Page 39] believe he carryed him the Billet in confidence of a good reward. Osman receiv'd it as the best Pre­sent could be made him; and im­patient to see what it contained, he retir'd into his Closet; open'd it; knew the hand; read it over and over with that extremity of revenge, that attends the desire of pleasure, when in a hopeful way of being Master of the Life or Re­putation of an Enemy.

He paus'd a while e're he came to a resolution what to do with the Billet; to Copy it out would signifie nothing, nothing being more to easie then to deny what we have not written; to keep it, were to put a stop to a bu­siness, which, (to appear of con­siderable consequence) must be carryed on further: Having thought well of it, he was of O­pinion it would be best to keep the [Page 40] Original, and send Rajep a Copy, which he caused a Woman to make of it, and send it to Rajep; who knowing neither the Cha­racter, nor the Person that writ it, would be easily taken in the snare: The Messenger very faithfully de­liver'd Rajep the Billet; the Gal­lant, who lov'd no sport better, was so proud of the Honour he receiv'd by it, that he would wil­lingly have gone presently to see what they would have with him: But his time was not yet come, he knew not the Lady who had so much kindness for his Person. He thought of several, but this Eunuch belonging to the Serrail­lio, the Billet in all probability came from thence, where Rajep was altogether unacquainted. He could not imagine Hattige should be the Person; she, who was the proudest, as well as hand­somest, [Page 41] Lady of the Kingdom, and the King's Principal Favou­rite: He would have ask'd the Eunuch, but feared he might spoyl all by being too curious: This made him content himself with asking a few Questions for some further light; but finding, by the Answers, all he was to hope for at that time was the Billet; he dismist him with this Answer.

The Eunuch was liberally paid by Rajep that moment for betray­ing him; he gave him a fair Dia­mond, & the honest Agent, in ac­knowledgment of the favour, went directly with the Billet to the Aga; who, ravished at the good success, caus'd a Copy to be made of this as of the former Bil­let, and sent it to Hattige.

The passionate Lady at the re­turn of the Eunuch, having read Rajep's Answer, was so overjoy­ed, that the whole Serrallio rung of the News; she embraced her dear Zara a thousand times over; she caress'd the very Eunuch, who (you see) deserv'd it well at her [Page 43] hands; she rewarded both libe­rally, and promis'd them so large­ly, the performance would have ruined her: The fair Lady was so impatient she writ a new Billet on the morrow, and the Eunuch, who had serv'd her so Faithfully with the first, was trusted with the second: He carry'd it (as he had cause) to the Aga, who o­pened it with as much joy as the former, and found in it these words.

[Page 44] Osman having read the Billet, ask'd the Eunuch the particulars of his new Embassy; who told him, He carryed Rajep the Assig­nation of a Rendezvous at Night, with the hour and the manner he was to be introduc'd. The Aga more joyful of the news than can be exprest, caus'd a Copy to be made of this Billet by the hand that had copied the other, and dismiss'd the Eunuch to pursue his Commission: Rajep, who did not expect so great a progress in so short a time, thought himself highly obliged to the fair Làdy unknown, who sav'd him the Troubles and Inquietudes of lon­ger delayes. His Answer was this.

The Aga was glad of this Bil­let also; had it copied; and ordered the Eunuch to bring him word as soon as Rajep entred the [Page 46] Seraglio; which he punctually did about one a Clock in the mor­ning. It was a little too late to carry the News to the King; but it was an Occasion to good to be lost: He went his ways, and found the King just going to Bed. The King surprized to see him come into his Chamber; What (says he) Osman, up at this time of the Night! Nothing but good Fortune should keep a Man so long awake. Who knows (says the Aga) but 'tis that brings me hither. You are come a little too late (says the King) and I am so well pleased with my good Fortune to day, I will not rise to go in search of a better. Hear me (adds the King, observing Osman very de­sirous to interrupt him) I will tell you part of the Pleasure I have had this Evening, and shall not re­lish it so well, unless I acquaint you [Page 47] with it: You must know, that Hat­tige, whom (in spight of the ha­tred you have for her) you will ac­knowledge one of the handsomest Women you have ever seen, was fal­len of late into so strange a Melan­cholly and Grief, that nothing could divert her: She did nothing but weep; and her Tears troubled me so, that at last I believe, I should have died for Grief; so great is the Love I have for her: This Day more charming (to Me at least) and more beautiful than ever, (though not without some languishing in her Looks, which shewed she was not throughly well at Heart) taking pi­ty of the Condition her Sadness was bringing me to: Sir (says she) em­bracing me with extremity of Ten­derness, I see well enough what you suffer for my sake: Were my Life only concern'd, I would dye a Thou­sand times, rather than tell you the [Page 48] cause of my melancholly; but the care I have of your Health, far dear­er than mine, and the Concern I am under, to see you so altered in few days, will not permit me any longer to conceal from you the cause of my sadness. I must tell you then, though I were sure to lose your Af­fection by it, my grief proceeds on­ly from a dream I had lately, which made such impression on my spirit, I cannot to this moment get it out of my thoughts. At that, she stop'd, not able to proceed for weeping and sobbing, which she could not forbear; and I had much ado to perswade her at length to put an end to; and pressing her more earnestly to go on, and tell me her dream. Alas! (continued she, sighing) may it not be a fatal Prediction out of my own mouth against my self? I dreamt, Sir, I saw you in Roukia 's arms, the Master Gardiner's Wife, and [Page 49] was not able with tears or reproa­ches to force you thence. Can you be so false, and will you not endea­vour at least to divert the blow Heaven threatens me with?

Ah, Sir, rather let me die, than ever see this come to pass. Here her grief seiz'd her more violently than ever, and she fell half dead into my Arms. You may believe, dear Osman, I said many things to her to bring her again, and perswade her out of the thoughts of the Dream, which you know signifies nothing. I have often heard talk of Rouchia; but as beautiful as they report her to be, I never had the curiosity to see her. I was so sa­tisfied with the lovely Hattige, for whom I have resolv'd to keep my self entirely, and stick to her alone. To end my Story, you must know, I prevail'd with her so far, with oaths and kind words, that I dis­abus'd [Page 50] at last, and left her perfect­ly cur'd of those suspitions of fals­ness she had entertain'd against me. She recover'd her former Gayety of humor, and was kinder than ever, having exprest to me all the ten­derness and strength of an extra­ordinary Passion; I stay'd with her longer than ordinary, and am more in love with her than ever. I am but newly come from her, and to tell you the Truth, had scarce the power to leave her▪ Pray stay a little longer, (says she still) as I was going. And still one moments stay procur'd another, full of love and of kindness; which seem'd to in­crease still as she staid me: I could entertain you all night with the pleasure I had in the Closet of that charming Woman; and yet not tell you all, which, you know, is not dis­cretion in a Lover to do to his Con­fident, though never so faithful. [Page 51] But what think you of her tender­ness for me? Was ever woman in love so allarm'd at a Dream? And must I not love her more than ever, for having endur'd what she did, with­out daring to acquaint me with it? 'Tis true, (says the Aga very seri­ously) what you have said, is sur­prizing, but not to that degree you imagin'd. Give me leave to acquaint you only, that a Man for whom I have the highest re­spect and veneration, being pas­sionately in Love, as you are, with a Woman, one day in confidence gave me an account how plea­santly he had spent some mo­ments in her Company; and that she had given him a taste of all that the most tender and passio­nate Love hath of sweet, and of charm; and that he thought him­self the happiest Lover on Earth. You would think your self much [Page 52] abus'd, (said I) if all those trans­ports of Love and of tenderness you have been so taken with, were but a Dose of Poyson to cast you into a sleep; and that the La­dy you speak of, is at this moment in the Arms of another. There was nothing so true, Sir, (adds the Aga) as what I told him; that man, if he had pleas'd, might have been an eye-witness of it. I could have let him have seen his Mistress in Bed with another man, so far beneath him, as a Subject is be­neath a Prince.

Osman, Osman, (says the King) you shall not make me jealous: I believe (continues he, looking ear­nestly on the Aga) such a thing might happen. Women are now adays so treacherous, there is no trusting their Caresses. But I am very well satisfied I cannot be concern'd in so infamous an Example. I know Hat­tige [Page 53] and know her too well, to be­lieve she ever had kindness for any but me. However, (replies the Aga) 'tis of you I am speaking all this while; and since I must be plain with you, and that the honour of my King is concern'd in it, you are the Person so basely disho­nour'd. 'Tis that charming Hat­tige, whom you love and adore so, 'tis she betrays you this mo­ment, in the manner I have told you. The King, astonisht with the sudden stroke of such terrible News, was speechless a while; but presently after, looking angerly on the Aga; As long as your in­vectives, Osman (says he) extend­ed only to the pride and excessive Expences of Hattige, I had the pa­tience to bear with them, as ha­ving some ground of Truth; but her Reputation being in question, wherein mine is so deeply concern'd, [Page 54] I shall think very ill of you, if you accuse her without good proof to con­vict her: 'Tis now almost three Years since I saw Hattige, and have reason to know her better than any: Had there been another in the Kingdom greater than my self, or were any one my equal in it, I might peradventure have some apprehension she might be guilty of such a Crime: I say, per­adventure; for I doubt very much, whether she would in that Case be false to me. But considering her pride and height of Spirit, you shall never make me believe she can a­base her self to think of any thing below me, unless I see it with my Eyes: Do not I see how she uses all the World, and that there is not a more ambitious Woman living? Certain­ly she loves me. Yet I am perswa­ded, she would love me more, were I greater than I am; for nothing [Page 55] but Greatness can satisfie that proud Soul of hers. I knew very well, (answers the Aga, sighing for pity) Thus prepossest, or en­chanted rather, as you are, in fa­vour of that Lady, what I should say against her, would make little impression on you: I do not de­sire you should believe it, if you have not a mind to it: yet be pleas'd to come, and see it with your own Eyes? What you! Can you let me see, (crys the King ve­ry angrily) when I am but just now come from her? Well Sir (says the Aga) What you say is true, but it is no less true, that if you please, you may find her with another in her Chamber, if you please to take the pains of going thither. Ah! (says the incredulous Prince) I can have no more patience: But have you consider'd, Osman, how high­ly I shall resent it, if I take the [Page 56] pains to get up, and you cannot con­vict her of the Crime you charge her with? The Aga very calmly answers; I am well assur'd of what I say; and have no cause to fear your Resentment, if I have no more to do than let you see what I promis'd. The King got up, and having put on his Night-Gown, with his Turban, and Sword, he went streight towards the Seraglio with Osman, holding him by the hand, as if he had fear'd he would have given him the slip. This is the Scene, (says the King at his entrance) where, what you have promis'd me, is to be seen; but take heed you bear not a part in the Catastrophe. The Aga told him, 'twas a plain matter of Fact would be presently dis­cover'd. The King observing him come on so resolutely, and with joy in his face, as a man go­ing [Page 57] to a Triumph, began (not al­together to believe him, but) to fear there was something in the matter: And it made him the ra­ther apprehend some untoward Adventure, that he knew Osman a Man of good sense, and not ea­sily mistaken; and one, who with­out very good grounds, would not have engag'd in a business of that nature: So that the King knew not what to think. He would not for his life have given him that advantage over his Mi­stress; especially after the Story he had just then told him. And now all the Kings care was to make the design of the discovery miscarry, though she were crimi­nal: When they were got with­in two or three steps of Hattiges Apartment, and had no more to do but draw the Curtain, the King seem'd, as if he knew not [Page 58] whither he was to go, nor what he had to do. His Guide, jealous of his Honour, and eager to make him an Eye-witness of his shame, was forc'd to push him on, and mind him there was no time to be lost, if he would find them so together as was necessary for a clear Conviction, and if he staid any longer, the whole Serrallio would know they were in: The King heard him not, or made as if he had not: He was busying himself with needless precautions of shutting up Doors, which (be­sides that there was no need to have them shut) made a great noise if they were stirr'd; of pla­cing Guards in needless places, and calling for help, that they within might hear him. In a word, to mad the Aga (who spent his breath in telling him he must not stay, but go directly [Page 59] to Hattige) for one step he ad­vanc'd he went back two: At last he order'd the matter so that the Gallant was aware of his co­ming, and had time to escape, so that when the King was come to the Lady's Chamber, the Bird was flown, and no other sign of her guilt, but a little more than ordinary finery, and a dress very different from what the King left her in, which would have past for good proof with a Lover less blind than he: Hattige had the dexterity to invent several pre­tences to take off the suspition of any design; and to be before­hand with the Monarch, she told him, he had pleas'd her so well that Evening, that, to charm him on the Morrow more than ever she had done, she had try'd on some new Dresses, and he was come most luckily to tell her how he [Page 60] lik'd them. Yet she must con­fess her self a little surpriz'd at his sudden return, and extraordinary Visit; and that either his passion for her was increas'd that Even­ing, or that he had some particu­lar Reasons for it, which she could not guess, but might destroy all the pleasure she took in seeing him the second time. The King, perplext at what he saw, an­swer'd her very coldly, as if he had not been satisfi'd with her Excuse, and let her know by his looks, he had some suspicion of the Bravery he found her in; yet he durst not condemn her, as want­ing sufficient reason for it. Os­man, who staid in the next Room, and had, by his Masters fault, lost so excellent an occasion, was rea­dy to eat his Fingers for madness, raving and exclaiming against the weakness of his Patron, and [Page 61] calling him all the Names his an­ger could suggest.

The good Prince, who had too much good nature to be proof a­gainst the obliging Kindness and Flatteries of his Mistress, was not only quickly perswaded to be­lieve all she said, but (which is most incredible) he had the Good­ness to tell her the reason of his Visit, and all that the Aga had ac­quainted him with. Then it was it rain'd Torrents of Tears; then was her Hair pull'd by handfuls, her Head-gear and Cloaths tore all to pieces and a thousand other Actions of Despair so extraordi­nary, that the King to appease her, was forc'd to ask her pardon. Osman knew nothing of all this, when his Master entred the Chamber Osman was in, and with rears in his Eyes pray'd him if he lov'd him, to go make the [Page 62] innocent Hattige some reparation of Honour: This put Osman into such indignation he almost lost his respect to his Master, who continuing obstinate to have him make a submission so unjust and unbecoming a Man of his Quali­ty, Osman took out the four Bil­lets which he had of purpose brought with him, to justifie what he had said, if there should be occasion, and shewed them the King, asking him if he knew the Character of those Hattige had written. Then he pray'd the King to give him leave to re­tire, which he granted him, more for shame he knew not what to say to him, than for any other reason he had to get rid of him: What an astonishment was the poor Monarch in, at sight of the Billets? It was not in his power to come to himself; he [Page 63] walk'd all alone about the Room, with his head to the ground, (press'd down, you may believe, with the new weight it bore) and his Heart full of extraordinary Conflicts and violent Emotions.

My Mistress, (surpriz'd the King stay'd so long) was afraid the Aga might spoil all, and mar what her tears had so well mend­ed, and would go her self to see what the matter was: She found him musing as a man in a maze, and going up to him, and em­bracing him, in that fond and obliging manner, where with she charm'd him when she pleas'd; What troubles you now, Sir, (says she,) that you use me so cruelly? Any new trick of the Aga's? Will he never have done contri­ving of mischief? Ah Heavens! How unfortunate am I (adds she, wetting his Face with the Tears [Page 64] that fell from her Eyes) to see you so easie to believe those hor­rible Calumnies that Villain in­vents of me? With that she fell as half dead into his Arms, which so softned the Heart of the kind Monarch, he could no lon­ger resist such Charms; but em­bracing her with unparallel'd Tenderness and Sorrow, carry'd her in his Arms, and laid her on the Bed, praying her, with Tears in his Eyes, to come to her self again, otherwise she must expect to have him die with her.

This excess of Tenderness was too little to comfort the afflicted Fair One: She would know fur­ther, what the Traytor (so she call'd the Aga) had told him of new, and protested she would not cease crying till he had told her all, and she had justifi'd her self from all his Calumnies. The [Page 65] good King was very loath to let her see the Billets, fearing with­out doubt it would be hard for her to justifie her self against them; but the desire he had to find her innocent, made him give 'em her; telling her, he was well assur'd, 'twas a new Imposture; and that he very well knew, 'twas an usual thing to counter­feit hands. She took the Billets, and began to read them; but with terrible Acclamations: Hea­ven! (says she) Can man be so malicious? Well Sir, (adds she) what Arts, and what Industry are made use of to ruine me, and de­stroy me in your Opinion? And will you make nothing of it; but pass it by, and take no care to re­venge me? Assure your self, I will without more ado, cause to morrow morning aMaraboug to be made, where I'le bury my self [Page 66] alive, unless you do me Reason, and clear my Reputation from so criminal an Imputation, which re­flects no less on You than on Me. You have a Heart of Stone to­wards a poor Woman, who hath quitted all for Love of you, and made her self a Sacrifice to your Passion; and in the mean time. permit your self to be abus'd by a Favourite, a Villain, whose Spi­rit and Ambition you know; and he can prevail with you, not only to do what ever he pleases, but to believe the strangest and most im­possible things in the World.

What a shower of Tears sell with these words? She had a Store-house of them, and could command them thence in what quantity she pleas'd: The King did all he could to quiet her; he promis'd to vindicate her, and let her see very suddenly, he was not [Page 67] for Osman: Strange Weakness! But Kings in love are Men, and not Gods.

On the Morrow, the Aga was with the King at his rising, but received in a lamentable manner: He complained of him, and re­proach'd him (you see with what Grounds) and at last banish't him, forbidding him his Presence, till he should be sent for. Osman o­bey'd without Reply. He might have made more stir, by produ­cing the Moor; but after Usage so hard and unjust, he would not be at the Pains; but chose rather to be thought to be in fault, and at distance from a Master so easie to be seduc'd by the Flatteries of a Woman, than to justifie himself for undeceiving him.

Many were amaz'd at the Fa­vourite's Fall; some rejoyc'd at it, especially my Mistress; who ha­ving [Page 68] now near the King no Ene­my, but what she slighted, allow­ed her self to take her full swinge in her Amours, relying on the blindness of the good Prince, whom she thought she had laid too soundly asleep, to fear his waking a good while. Her trou­ble was to discover how the Aga came by the Billets: there was no colour of reason to suspect Ra­jep, who was not only too honest, to be capable of such Treachery, but oblig'd by joynt interest not to accuse her. The Eunuch, who had been the Mercury of the In­trigue, was the most suspicious. She sent in search of him, but Zara could have no news of him, and so the Treason came out. Hattige fail'd not to charge the Mistress of her Intrigues, to make better choice of those she imploy'd, and whom she trusted as Messengers [Page 69] in matters of that importance.

The King was too Amorous not to be subject to jealousie. He could not put out of his head those Billets written in a Chara­cter so exactly like Hattiges, though he knew Folks have the art of counterfeiting hands: And taking time at his leisure, to exa­mine in private, and weigh with himself all the Circumstances of that Evenings Adventure, it made him for a while very unquiet, and full of vexation. At last, he re­solv'd for his satisfaction, and ease, to observe in person, the Conduct of his Mistress, to rid himself at once of the Suspicions that tor­mented him, or the Passion he had for her if guilty: He bethought himself of a Stratagem for the purpose, which hit very luckily.

He had the priviledge to enter the Seraglio, when he pleas'd, [Page 70] through Doors made of purpose, the Keys whereof were in his cu­stody. The Day he intended to put his Design in Execution, he spent almost all in Hattiges Lodg­ings, paying her all the Amo­rous Devoirs he us'd to do, with more than ordinary Gaiety and Tenderness; insomuch that she thought him better satisfied than ever of her Fidelity to him: Be­sides he staid of purpose, much la­ter than ordinary, though to the good Ladys very great trouble, it being a Day of Assignation for Rajep, who with the impatience of a fortunate Lover, waited Zara's coming: But when a Person who is jealous knows how to dissemble, he deceives the most mistrustful.

The King from Hattige's Lodg­ings went into his own, to dress himself like a Bedowin (so they call the Moorish Women of the [Page 71] Mountains, of whom there are commonly great numbers in the Serallio) his Face he cover'd with a black Vail, and his Body a white Blanket, and put on a pair of Linnen-Drawers, and black Stockings, which is all the Equi­page of that sort of Women, when they are in the Towns; for in the Country they go as God made them. The King in his new Dress slipt softly and alone into the Seraglio, and posted him­self before the Door of his Mistres­ses Apartment; where, to avoid suspicion, he laid him down on a Bench, as the Bedowines use to do.

It was a Gallery you must of ne­cessity pass through, whether you went in or out of my Mistresses Lodgings: At one end of it was a Lanthorn, which had a Light in it all Night; but the King being at the other end of the Gallery, it [Page 72] was almost dark there. He had not long been on the Watch, but he discover'd the Enemy, though he had no great mind to ask, Who goes there: He never bid them stand, but let them come on undisturb'd, that he might have them where he desar'd. 'Twas ev'n Zara, leading another Bedowine by the hand, whom the King prepossest with suspici­on, presently believ'd such ano­ther Woman as himself. And to speak the truth, the Bodowin's Sta­ture and Gate confirm'd his con­jecture. Zara went up to the door, never minding the Centi­nel, and turning towards her Be­dowin, bid him have a moments patience, and she would go to her Mistress for Orders for his Entrance. The King had time then to take a full view of the Be­dowine; who turning about to­ward [Page 73] that side where the King lay, perceiv'd there was some­thing in humane Shape on the Bench, and being now in an Ene­mies Country, the Bedowin thought She could not be too cau­tious, and for fear of leaving be­hind her fomething that might hinder her retreat, thought good to make up to what she saw, and examine nearer at hand what it was: Fortune, being commonly fa­vourable to those Love exposes, or­der'd it so, that a corner of the Blan­ket the King had wrapt himself in being untyed, the curious Bedowin discover'd part of a Sword, which being Enamell'd with Vermilli­on, in that little light there was, gave the Bedowin enough to know 'twas time to look about her, and not safe to be there. Ac­cordingly She went softly to the other end of the Gallery, and so [Page 74] down the Stairs, and away out of Doors; which she was very glad of, having scap'd a scowring, be­ing fully perswaded the Sword she had seen, threatne her Life.

The King, who thought he had not given his fellow Beao­win the least suspition, could not fancy her marching back was to run quite away. He got up to see what was become of her: Za­ra, arriving, took him for the Be­dowin she had left at the door, and wisper'd him in the Ear, he might enter, and be kindly re­ceiv'd. The King, glad of the mistake, followed his Guide, lead­ing him by the hand, a way he knew better than any one alive. He was no sooner got into Hat­tiges Chamber, but she took him about the neek, hugging him in her Arms with the Transports of a Woman amorous as she. Dear [Page 75] Rajep, (says she) how glad am I to see thee, having spent all this day with a King, whose Caresses are torments to me? Thou must make me amends by a thousand Tran­sports of Love. This was an ex­cellent beginning for the Mo­narchs Entertainment, who took all patiently, not stirring from un­der his Disguise: The Lady more hasty than he, to make good use of those pleasant moments the presence of a Lover, belov'd as he was should produce, couldnot endure that so little delay. Her longings, more prevalent than her Modesty, put her into a fit of charming Wrath against the cold­ness of her insensible Lover: she made him a thousand Reproaches, and would have tore off with her own hands his Vail, and his Blan­kets, and the rest of his fine dress: What, Rajep, (says she) with [Page 76] an amorous Indignation) do you ex­pect that I should unmask you? Have you no more Desire to see and embrace me? Is the time you pur­chase, with the peril of your life and mine, of so little Ʋalue, that you can afford to lose so many pre­cious moments? No soomer had she said this, but down dropt the Disguise. Zara, who had helpt her Mistress to undress the false Bedowin, first discover'd the mi­stake, and ran away with a shrieck that frighted her Mistress, who was never so surpriz'd as to see 'twas the King. Hattige very luckily swouned away for fear, for 'tis very probable the injur'd Monarch would otherwise in the beginning of his fury, have been transported into some act of vio­lence against her, which might have mis- become him. But see­ing a Woman almost dead at his [Page 77] feet (though she did but counter­feit) his fury vanish'd, to give place to his pity, which seiz'd him with that Tenderness, that made him sensible, false and in­gratefull as she was, he could not forbear loveing her still. He call'd to the Slaves of the Apartment, and order'd her to be laid on a Bed, where it would have pleas'd him to approach her with her Falshood; but finding his Resent­ment too weak for his good na­ture, melting at sight of an Ob­ject so amiable, though false, he retir'd.

The next day Osman was call'd to Court, where he had from the King a very favourable Recepti­on, to make him amends for his former hard Usage. He told him, he was but too much con­vinc'd of the ill Conduct of Hat­tige, against whom he let fall [Page 78] the most opprobrious Language imaginable; protesting he would for the future use her as the ba­sest of Women. The Aga, being a dextrous Courtier, and not un­acquainted with Lover's Relapses; knowing where lay the Weakness of his Prince, said not a word for, or against her; only pray'd him to believe, he had not in his King­dom, a Servant more faithfull, and jealous of his Master's Glory, than him. But that he was a­fraid if his Majstey saw that Wo­man again, things would return to their former course. The King blush'd at these words, as re­proaching him with his frailty. Yet he swore a thousand Oaths, it should never be so again, which his Heart mis-gave him he would not keep, as it afterwards hap­ned.

As for Rajep, Order was given [Page 79] to apprehend him. Meharen, the Master-Gardiner, having no Heir but that dear Nephew of his, when he had the News of what had past in the Seraglio, and the Order against Rajey, threw himself at the King's Feet, but was present­ly rejected. Yet his Freinds at Court appeas'd the King in some measure, and prevail'd with him to change the Sentece of Death, past against Rajeb, into that of Banishment during Life.

My Mistress the first, the se­cond, and third day of her Dis­grace, saw not the King: This was a long time for the amorous Prince, who us'd to be scarce an hour away from her. Acquain­tances of that nature are not lost, without a great deal of pain. She had Friends she imploy'd, who every moment acquainted the King with the lamentable con­dition [Page 80] her Repentance had brought her to, being so pin'd a­way she was not likely to live an Hour. The fourth day the Pro­phesie of Osman was fulfill'd. The King foftned with the sad News, melting into Tenderness, sigh'd, staggerd, and at last, following his Inclination, went to give her one Visit more, under pretence of taking his Revenge of her, being asham'd, without doubt, of so unbecoming a Relapse, after the noise he had made of the Falsness of that Woman. To excuse him­self, he said he would go to her only, to take from her those Jew­els he had given her, who de­serv'd not to wear auy thing be­longing to him. The Aga, who knew his Master well, and of what Consequenee that Visit might be, would have diverted him dextrously, by taking the Ladies part.

[Page 81] And telling him, It did not be­come a generous Prince, as he was, to repent of his Liberality, e­specially to Women. But if he design'd only to frighten her, (which he doubted not, was all he intended) it would suffice, as he conceiv'd, to send any one to her from his Majesty, without doing her the Honour of a perso­nal Visit. The Counsel was good, but unseasonable for a Lover, who was going in search of what the other would have diverted him from. The King answered, he knew what he did; and that in some Affairs he lov'd to follow his Humour, without any Advice. The Aga by this judg'd all was lost, and that the King would be engag'd deeper than ever. He shrug'd and retir'd, unwilling to be Witness of an Action, which would be charg'd half upon him, [Page 82] if present. The King was not displeas'd as his retyring, and per­haps things would have gone o­therwise then they did, had the Aga been there. The King came to Hattiges Apartment, where presently, without staying to give her notice of his coming, or cal­ling for the Keys of the Closet where the Jewels were, he caus'd the door to be broke open; en­tred it, and finding the box (they were in) open, he fell to viewing them over, and taking parti­cular notice of them, as it were to give time to his perfi [...]ious Mi­stress to come, and appease him. She fell down at his Feet, with her Hair about her Ears, and em­brac'd his Knees with that irre­sistable tenderness, he took her up, and led her into the Closet: what Reconciliation was made there, I know not; but certain it is, the [Page 83] King left the Jewels behind him, and returning two hours after, made her new Presents.

This agreement by degrees ga­thered such strength, that the A­morous Prince visited her oftner than ever, and seem'd to have forgotten, not only what he had said of Hattige, but all that had past; which for a Lover of his Character was of consequence e­nough, never to be forgotten. It was talk'd of abroad, but not much to his advantage. Only the Aga said not a word of it. Being politique, he knew there was no remedy, and that it was an incurable Infirmity in his Prince, whose Ascendant was Love: So that the Aga held it imprudent in him, to ruin his For­tune to serve his Prince against his will; and was confident, Hat­tige was a Woman of that humor, [Page 84] she would destroy her self at last.

Rajep being banish'd, and Hat­tige more addicted to Gallantry than ever, (the King having caus'd her only to change her Gallant, and add to her former, the Pleasure of Variety) Zara, who through his means, was a­gain taken into her Favour, was imploy'd a new to find out one with whom she might break those Oaths of Fidelity she had newly made to the King. Hat­tige did no longer mince the mat­ter to this Slave, so well acquain­ted with her Concerns. And the good Matron, who knew her Mi­stress desir'd a Gallant, as well out of the Infirmity of her Na­ture, and Weakness of Temper, as to please her Inclination; re­solv'd to find her out one, with whom she also might do her Bu­siness. The King, on the other [Page 85] side, who after he was convinc'd of the Falseness of Hattige, began to love her less, was very desi­rous of a new Mistress, and fell in love with Roukia, as Hattige had foretold. It was an Inclination he was strangely surpriz'd into, and perhaps in a manner not to be paralell'd.

Women, besides the natural Beauty of the Face, which chiefly gains them Admirers, have a Thousand other ways to engage Men to love them; for their Voice, their Wit, their Humour, their Shape, their good Meen, and other Qualities, capable to produce great Effects in the Hearts of their Lovers. But I scarce dare tell you, how Love brought the King enamour'd of Roukia, who being one of the Handsomest Women of the King­dome, charm'd him by that part, [Page 86] of which she took the less care, because she would have been a­sham'd to shew it him, and would not have expos'd it to the Light, but for necessity, and without dreaming it could be the cause of so lucky an Effect. Excuse me, Sir, (says Razi) laughing, if I enlarge no further on this Sublect. You may guess by what I have said, few Fish are caught with that Bait.

One Evening, about Sun-set, the King from the Terrasse of the Garden of the Seraglio, looking through the Trees, had a sight of Roukia in that pleasant Posture: The Sun, who seem'd to stay to guild with his Rays, an Object so charming to that Prince, never saw any thing whiter, or better shap'd. 'Twas in truth a Master­piece of the kind, and (notwith­standing the unpleasing Function it was about) inflam'd the Heart [Page 87] of the Royall Spectator, who did all he could to see a little more; but Love would not permit it, being resolv'd the part he had first seen, should have all the Glo­ry of that Conquest. The mor­row a Courier (for Gallantry) was dispatch'd with a Billet to Roukia, to this effect.

Thus it is our Kings declare their Love: they never sigh in vain. They need but say, I love you, and I will, and the business is done. Our Women think it their duty to obey them in mat­ters of Love, as our Men in Affairs of State. Roukia, inclinable as the rest of our Countrey-Wo­men, in things of that nature, [Page 89] was so charm'd with the Honour of being written to by the King, that, without examining circum­stances, she presently return'd him this favourable Answer.

[Page 90] The King receiv'd this Letter with the joy of a Lover, who was to be happy that day, which seem'd long to him; who was to stay till night, before he could go to the place of Rendezvous. He was so wholly taken up with his new Passion, and the pleasures he promis'd himself from it, that he never thought of seeing Hattige, which he seldom fail'd to do. A Commission was presently made ready to send Meharen out of Town. Night being come, the King went alone, & without noise into the Garden of the Seraglio, where the Comedy was to be acted by him and Roukia, who at the hour appointed came in by a Ladder he had caus'd to be brought for the purpose.

This enterview was charming on either side: The night was not so dark, but the King could [Page 91] discern Roukia's excellent Shape; and judging the Features of her Face to be answerable, he made no doubt but she was beautiful, as she was reported: But what charm'd him most, was her admi­rable Wit, which she shew'd on all occasions, to make him a­mends for what the Night hid from his Eyes. The King was transported at it. And to tell you the truth, they spent not much time in Complement, but were quickly familiar, as if they had been acquainted many years. 'Tis a priviledge Kings have, to make more way in a day, than o­thers in a Month.

Roukia, no less proud of the Honour the King did her, and the Dignity likely to attend it, than she was of his love, did her ut­most endeavour to deserve it, & with admirable success; for she [Page 92] gain'd his Esteem no less than his Affection. She said a Thousand pretty things, which he was ra­visht at, and made him (very ob­ligingly for her) blame Love for having been so slow in bringing him acquainted with her, who deserv'd best of any his A fection, and his Care: They were got in­to a Grotto, convenient enough for an Entertainment, almost like that of Aeneas and Dido; and were there for some time, with­out Interruption. I will not di­sturb them, (continues Razy, smi­ling) to give you an account what past there between them. You have been in Love, I be­lieve, and may guess what dis­course they had. The King it seems was well pleas'd with it, for he resolv'd to pass the rest of the Night there.

The Summer is the best Season [Page 93] for Rancounters of Love: but this being a Gallant us'd to Success, afforded less matter of discourse than one, who had been less for­tunate would have done; and at length he fell asleep with his Fair one. Love, who had more Business to do in the same Gar­den, allow'd him but a short time to rest. Roukia, hearing a Noise, awak'd him to tell him of it. At first, he could hardly believe it, the place being inaccessible to any but himself, and Meharen, as Master-Gardiner, whom he had sent abroad, and therefore had no apprehension of: He hearken'd more attentively, and could hear ones voice, and afterwards his steps: Before he would proceed farther, he was willing to know who were so rash to enter that Place, which it was Death to do by Day, without his Permission; [Page 94] he was scarce got up, but he sees them approach to come into the Grotto. It was a spacious Place made of purpose for a Cooling­room in the Heats of Summer; and had in it several Beds of Turf, very prettily made with Pots of Jessamin Flowers, and other Sweets, all about. In a word, it was a place pick't out for the Kings Pleasure. It appear'd, by the manner of the new Comers entry, they were no strangers to the Place. They chose a Quarter not far from the King's. But it was so dark, it was impossible to see one another. He let them seat themselves at their ease, and had observ'd they were two, but could not discern whether Men or Women. One of them, whose voice the King presently knew, says immediately to the other; 'Tis the finest place in the world, [Page 95] to laugh at the Jealous, and to be quit with them. He hath some­times brought me hither, where I have been forc'd to spend with him many a tedious quarter of an hour. This was Hattige: The King was extremely surpriz'd, not knowing how she should po­ssibly have come into the Garden; but he was the more surpriz'd, and Roukia also, at the answer of the other, whom both knew to be Meharen: I confess, Madam, (says he) he deserves not to possess alone the Affections of a Lady beautifull as you are, but he is my Master. And nothing but a Passi­on, great as that I have for you, could have prevail'd with me to be false to him, as I am. Nothing but the extremity of your Beauty, whose charms are irrisistable, could excuse such a Crime. But let a man value himselfe never so much [Page 96] on his Honesty and Integrity, yet a Passion rais'd in him by a Person so amiable as you, will be Proof against all Batteries of Duty, and easily ma­ster it. 'Tis but in jest, Meharen, (says Hattige) that you raise these Scruples: I am false, as you are, but that's nothing with me. 'Tis a fine thing to be false, if you know how to do it handsomely. I have a Heart will be its own Master, and love one to day, and another tomorrow. What would become of Men and Women, if, when they engage in kindness with one, they must absolutely sell themselves, and not be allowed to change, when they grow wea­ry, or have a greater Inclination for another. 'Tis a natural Right to bestow our Affections where we please, and when we please to revoke the Gift: And wretched are they, who enjoy not that Li­berty: [Page 97] Our Sentiments are sub­ject to Change, as other things; and Love as well as Nature is not charming, but in Variety: For Example, Meharen, to day I am for You, but three or four days hence I will not undertake but I may be for another. And it would be Injustice in you, to ex­pect I should be truer to You, than I am to the King. True, Madam, (replies Meharen, smileing) I have no Reason to blame in you that ami­able Inconstancy, to which I owe my Happiness: But would you say as much to the King, Madam? You may believe, (says She I glory not in these Maximes before him, not for fear he should follow them, but to avoid giving him Cause to have an ill Opinion of Me: Were He of my Humour, I think I should love him the bet­ter, and perhaps I hate him for [Page 98] nothing else, but that he loves me too constantly. I have en­deavoured handsomly to engage him to be false to me, insomuch that I told him one day, I dream'd I had seen him in your Wife Rou­kia's Arms, whom I knew to be a handsome Woman, and hop'd he might have a mind to her, or the Curiosity at least to see her; but my Address was lost upon a Man obstinately faithfull, and produc'd no other Eruit but nau­seous Assurances of his Truth and Tenderness for me. You did not much oblige me in that particular, Madam, (says Meharen) and when you have occasion again to dream, to be rid of one troublesome to you, let me intreat you it may not be at your Friends cost. How, (replies Hattige) would you take it ill the King should do as much for you, as you do for him? Yes without [Page 99] doubt, (says Meharen) for I do it not for that purpose, that he should do as much for me. Well, (an­swers Hattige) if he do not, ano­ther will. I fear not that,(replies Meharen) I know my Wife very well, and am perswaded She is Fool enough to die, rather than do me such an Jnjury, though the King should tempt her. She quarrels with me every day, for but letting the Slaves come into her Chamber; and I dare engage once more, she would rather dye than appear to a­nother Man, though the best of my Friends.

This pleasant Dialogue had very different Effects on the two Auditors, who were ready some­times to laugh, and sometimes to be angry: The King all the while had Roukia in his Arms, and squeez'd her Hand when they spoke of her. She did as [Page 100] much to him upon the like Occa­sion. True it is, he had small Kindness for Hattige after he had found her false, and less a great deal after he fell in love with Roukia. But it cannot but vex one to see a Mistress (though for­saken) in the Arms of another, especially of one Inferiour to him­self: Setting aside the Crown, yet Meharen was not comparable to the King for Vigor or good Meen: He was not very old, yet not so young as the King, and a hundred times harder favour'd.

Pleasant as the King was, at dumb Raillery, with Roukia, and pressing her hand, yet he was mad to hear what was spoken; and any one, but Meharen (of whom he took very pleasant Re­venge) should have felt terrible Effects of his Anger. Roukia, but for Hattige, had born her part of [Page 101] the Sorrow: but finding by her, her Business with the King went on the better, and that she had paid her Husband in his own Coyn, she thought she had all the Reason in the world to rejoyce.

But this new pair of Lovers had their Design, and were not come into the Grotto only to talk: the Scene was going to alter. But the King was so little com­plaisant, that he had not the Pa­tience to see the best Act of the Play; but rising up with a great noise; Meharen, (says he, with a voice would have made the most Confident quake) Is it thus you serve me? Is this your Execution of the Orders I gave you? 'Tis hard to represent the astonishment, the fear and confusion of our Shep­herd and Shepherdess, when they heard the King. Meharen fell at his Feet, with his Face to [Page 102] the Ground, and not able for some time to say a word. And you False One, (says the King to Hattige) you Baggage without Ho­nour or Truth, is this your requi­tall of the Obligations I put upon you, in making you what you are?

There was harsher Language in the case, but I will not trou­ble you with it: I must draw to an End. The Master-Gardiner being a little recover'd of his Fright, though labouring still un­der the Apprehensions of Death, did all he could, (not to excuse himself, there being no colour for it, but) to take all the Fault on himself, and make Hattige appear less faulty, whom he would needs endeavour to save, by offering his Life as a Sacrifice for her. The King said he would accept of it, provided a Person he had with him would be content, and with [Page 103] that he made Roukia draw near, who had not yet appear'd on the Stage.

Meharen was one of those Husbands, who though they love their Wives well, cannot forbear hunting other Mens Game. He had been in love with Hattige when she was at the Janizaries. And the choice the King had made of her for his Mistress, had but increas'd Meharen's Passion: So that he had several times ap­ply'd himself to Zara, whom he knew to be a Mistress of that Trade, and found faithful on o­ther Occasions: The Liberty he had to enter at pleasure the Gar­den of the Seraglio, contributed much to the good Fortunes Zara procur'd him. But as for Hat­tige, she thought her then so in­accessible, she had almost disswa­ded him from any thoughts of [Page 104] her, till the Disgrace of his Ne­phew, which, instead of fright­ing Zara, encourag'd her to make a Trial of what he desir'd her; who no sooner had the Op­pertunity of speaking to Hattige, but the Bargain was made. Lit­tle did Meharen think it must have cost him his Wife, and his Consternation was yet greater, when he heard her Voice, than when he heard the Kings: He knew not what to do or say, he saw himself paid in his own Coin, and without cause of Complaint: He puffed out his Rage in great fighs. The King triumph'd, and to encrease Meharen's despair, and the pleasure he took to over­whelm him with Grief and Con­fusion, he commanded him to ac­quaint him with the Particulars of his Intrigue with Hattige, how he came acquainted with her, [Page 105] and how he got her out of the Seraglio. Our unfortunate Ad­venturer was forc'd to obey him, and gave him an Account of the Passion he had had for her many years, and was renew'd after his Nephews Adventure, which let him see Hattige was not insen­sible: That Zara had been his Confident, and that very day ap­pointed for their Interview, like a Man that leaves all for Love, he had not Power to execute his Or­ders: As to her coming out of the Seraglio, it was through a Window of her Apartment to­wards the Garden, and that she was let down in a great Wicker-Basket: The King had the Curi­osity to go see the Machine, and found it in a Posture to help up the fair Lady, who had deserted it. But it was his Pleasure Rou­kia should go up in her Room, and [Page 106] that her worthy Spouse should weigh her up instead of Hattige, whom the King gave him in ex­change, though not to his Satis­faction. However it was the Kings Favour to him. It was his Majesties Goodness to do it: And I know not how he could have us'd him better.

Thus got Roukia into Possessi­on, not only of the Kings Kind­ness and Care, but of Hattige's A­partment, and all that belong'd to her, who had not remov'd or taken with her any of her most Precious things: yet Hattige was so far from being troubled at it, that she lov'd her Pleasure and Li­berty so well, she would have gi­ven more than ever she was Ow­ner of, to be out of the Seraglio. But Meharen, grown wiser by Roukia's example, kept Hattige as close, as if she had continued in [Page 107] the Seraglio. This quickly pro­duc'd Disputes and Quarrels be­twixt them, till at last they grew weary one of another. Hattige to be rid of him pretended a Re­velation from Heaven, which the Turks are very subject to, and told him she was requir'd to make a Voyage to Mecha, otherwise her Sins would never be par­don'd: The Cause was specious enough to oblige Meharen to give her her Pasport, though he had not (as he had) a mind to be rid of her. He gave his Consent to the Pilgrimage, and sent her to Tunis, recommending her to Mahomet Bascabey, his intimate Friend, and praying him to fu̇r­nish the fair Pilgrim with a Ves­sel to carry her to Alexandria.

This, Sir, says Razie, is the Sto­ry of my Mistress. You see I have not spar'd her, that I might give [Page 108] you a true Account of all her Ad­ventures, which none knew bet­ter than I, who have been with her ever since she was taken into the Seraglio, but never approv'd her Conduct; therefore she en­deavour'd still to hide it from me, yet I knew all she did. Certain it is, had her Soul been Beautiful as her Body, there had been no­thing more perfect under Hea­ven. She would charm you, Sir, did you see her, and 'tis pity a Man as the Captain of the other Vessel should have her in his hands. She would be far better in yours. The Knight answer'd, he had a desire to serve her Mi­stress, but not to make an Advan­tage of her. That he had been in search of her on no other De­sign: And if it were possible, he would at the first Oppertuni­ty set her at Liberty, and all those [Page 119] of her Vessel. But it must be kept secret, lest if his Friend any way suspected it, he might put a stop to their good Fortune. Razie amaz'd at so great Genero­sity in a Knight of Malta, who ordinarily use not too well those of her Nation, knew not what to think of it, but took it for a Mira­cle. She thank'd the Knight for the Favour he gave her hopes of, and was carry'd back to her Ves­sel, laden with Provisions; which the other Women were the more surpriz'd at, having been ill us'd by the other Captain, whom they thought no more inhumane than this.

That Night the Knight did but think of the Adventures of the Lady, and as bad as she had been represented, yet being young, he could not chuse but have a mind to see her; but he was affraid, the [Page 110] sight might cost him dear, since he found by hearing the Story of her, he had more than an indiffe­rent Inclination for her. Few Knights of Malta, of his Age, would have been so scrupulous: Curiosity, if not Love, would have prevail'd over all other Considerations. But this (who was Honesty and Generosity it self) made it his Business to serve the Lady, without the least hope of Recompence. Yet he lov'd to do things civilly, and was willing before he went any further, to speak once more to Gourdan, and was preparing to go see him, just as Gourdan came to him, a little more gay than ordinary. Well Sir, (says He) how like you your Compa­ny? I hope you will excuse me the easier for what Love made me do. I can easily excuse,(answers the Knight) the Love one has for a fair [Page 111] Lady; but cannot excuse a Man who uses them ill, as You do. I am more troubled at it, (says the Corsair) than you think, who know not as I do, the Women of this Coun­try: they are humoursome, and will never love a Man, but when they are forc'd to it by ill Ʋsage. That's a scurvy piece of Policy, (replies the Knight) and becomes not a civil Person. Believe it, (adds He) it would be more for your Honour, to send her back in­to her Vessel, than do her the least Violence. He spake these words in such a manner, as made Gourdan redden, without answer­ing a word. The Knight proceeded to say, I know You will not take my Advice, but I would do my Duty to mind you of it, and if you have any Value sor me, you will leave the poor Slave at Liber­ty, at least, to love or not love [Page 112] you: for whatever you have to say of the Customs of the Wo­men of this Country, you see the ways you have us'd to win her, have not yet taken, but end­ed quite contrary to your wishes. She is not an ordinary Woman, to be threatned, and ill us'd into Compliance. And could you have your will of her, pray tell me what Pleasure could you have of her, but would reflect with Dis­advantage on a Man of that E­steem You are of in our Order.

This open'd Gourdan's Eyes; he imagin'd the Knight had been told of the Ladies Beauty, and was fal­len in Love with her, which might be the reason he spoke in that manner, and hoped perhaps he would be such a Sot to quit her to him: These were Gourdan's thoughts, who turning to the Knight; All your Rhetorick, Sir, [Page 113] says he, smiling) will not serve your turn, you are too young for me. And without makeing a fine Speech, as you have done, I will only tell you, I will keep my Turk; and let her love me, or not love me, she shall not stir from Aboard me. But, Captain Gourdan, (answers the Knight, somewhat more coldly) is this Turk yours, that you can dispose of her in this manner? and have you more Right to her than I? I do not intend to take her from you: I have already told you my mind as to that—I know not, (replies Gourdan,haugh­tily) what your Thoughts or Inten­tions are; but I will sooner part with my Life, than that Woman; and shall take him for my Enemy, who shall but think to make me quit her. The Knight, little valuing the words of a Man, whose Jea­lousie disturb'd the little Sense he [Page 114] had, would fain have perswaded him by fair means. What I de­mand, (says he) is but reasonable and just, and if you are my Friend, as you have often assur'd me, you will not deny my Re­quest, or at least, you will not force me to use the means to set this Woman at Liberty. You will find it a hard matter to do, (says Gourdan furioufly) and with more Strength than you are Master of: and so went his way. This was high Language enough, for a man as the Knight was, and a­board his own Vessel; but being as moderate as the other was brutish, he chose rather to let him go, than offer him any Af­front.

This was the last Visit they made one another; Gourdan was mistrustful of the Knight, and watch'd narrowly over his [Page 115] Prey: But his Lieutenant gave the Knight an account of all, and offered him his Service: The Knight was so just, he desir'd no other Service of him, but to deli­ver a Billet he would cause to be written to the fair Slave. The Lieutenant promis'd it. Razie was sent for, because the Knight, though he understood and spake well the Moors Language, would not write it: when Razie was come, she wrote thus to her Mistress.

[Page 116] The Billet was seal'd, and car­ried privately to Gourdan's Lieu­tenant, who presently convey'd it to the fair Slave, by the Eunuch who was his Friend. The poor Lady was over-joy'd at the News; but had been so accus­tom'd to ill Fortune, she doubted very much to obtain a Happiness she had so little reason to expect: That Villain of a Pyrat, (for so she call'd Gourdan) had torment­ed her that day worse than ever; and she was resolv'd, if he came again, to throw her self into the Sea. The Billet brought her in a manner to Life again, and she ne­ver pray'd to Mahomet so hearti­ly, as she did then to the Wind, by which she expected her Liber­ty: What hands soever she should fall into, she thought it would be a Happiness, if she could but e­scape the hands of that brutish [Page 117] Captain. One Night, as she least thought of it, she saw a Man come in at her Window, which at first frighted her; but his countenance made her recover her self. It was the Knight of Malta. 'Tis time, Madam (says he) to free You from your Chains: 'Tis the bravest wea­ther in the world to return to Tu­nis; make use of it, and allow me the Pleasure of doing this small Ser­vice to a Person, who deserves better to be served by all the world, than ill us'd as she has been. I cannot tell, whether Hattige was more taken with the Knights good News, or his good Qualities; but after some Consideration, she was so affected with him, to thank him; she embrac'd him, and was not able to say a word: She was a-Bed; and as there is nothing so handsome as a beautiful Woman a-Bed, he was so charm'd at the [Page 118] sight of her, he was as much dis­order'd as she, and knew not what he did. Having by her Actions exprest all the Acknow­ledgments possible. I believe, Sir, (says She) Heaven hath sent me the Succour you bring; but sure I am, the World hath not a Man so Gene­rous and so Handsome as You. The Knight had the Gallantry- to re­turn her Kindness for Kindness; and helping to dress her, being in haste, he instructed her what to say, and what Course to steer to avoid meeting with the Corsair. To end my Story, the fair Turk was not long a dressing. 'Twas not a time to be curious in it: She put on no more than was absolutely necessary, and (had the Knight pleas'd) would have got out of the Vessel just as she got out of the Bed. The Seamen were stirring, and fitting [Page 119] the Rcpes to make for Malta,-though the Wind was not alto­gether for them: The Knlght help'd the fair Turk to get down at the same Window he got in at, into a Canoe, he had provi­ded ready under the Poop, and presently with the Favour of the Night they gain'd one of the Prizes, wherein he design'd to send her: He took out thence all the Christians that guarded the Vessel; and having taken leave of the Lady, who would have been longer glad of his Company, he parted with a great deal of Trouble to go to his own Ship; where he gave Order, as Gourdan did in his, the Anchor should be weigh'd, that they might Sail for Malta.